Spring Is Carpenter Bee Season — Here’s What to Know

Spring brings warmer temperatures, blooming flowers, and — unfortunately — a spike in carpenter bee activity. While these bees may look like large bumblebees, their habits are quite different. And for homeowners, that difference can come with a hefty repair bill.

If you’ve noticed large bees hovering near your deck, eaves, or wooden siding, there’s a good chance carpenter bees have made your property their seasonal nesting ground.

Here’s what you need to know about carpenter bees this spring and how to protect your home.

What Are Carpenter Bees?

Carpenter bees are solitary wood-boring insects that resemble bumblebees but have smooth, shiny abdomens. The females drill perfectly round holes into untreated or unpainted wood to create tunnels where they lay their eggs.

While they don’t eat wood like termites, their tunneling behavior can weaken wooden structures over time — especially when bees return to the same site year after year.

When Are Carpenter Bees Most Active?

Carpenter bee season typically begins in early spring and lasts through late summer, with peak activity in April and May. During this time:

• Females emerge and begin drilling new nesting sites

• Males hover nearby to guard territory (though they don’t sting)

• Existing galleries may be re-used or expanded

Because their activity is seasonal, spring is the ideal time to catch infestations early and implement control strategies before damage worsens.

Signs of Carpenter Bee Activity

You don’t have to wait for visible damage to take action. Watch for early indicators like:

• Bees hovering around soffits, railings, decks, or fascia

• Small piles of sawdust beneath holes or on ledges

• Perfectly round holes in exposed wood

• Yellowish staining near entry holes (from bee waste)

Ignoring these signs can allow minor tunneling to turn into widespread structural issues.

How to Prevent Carpenter Bee Damage

Preventing carpenter bee activity often comes down to making your home less appealing.

Here’s what we recommend:

• Paint or seal exposed wood, especially softwoods like pine

• Fill existing bee holes with wood putty or steel wool, then seal or paint

• Install trim or fascia made from composite materials where possible

• Avoid leaving untreated wood exposed, especially around porches or rooflines

If you already have activity, it’s best not to plug holes until after professional treatment. Trapped bees can burrow deeper or create exit tunnels elsewhere.

Professional Carpenter Bee Treatment

At Specter Pest Control, our approach to carpenter bee removal is safe, effective, and customized for your home. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Inspection – We identify active galleries and signs of damage.

2. Targeted treatment – Residual dusts or insecticides are applied directly into bee tunnels.

3. Prevention guidance – We offer strategies to prevent reinfestation and recommend repairs.

Treating in the early spring gives you the best chance of stopping the problem before new generations hatch.

Are Carpenter Bees Dangerous?

Carpenter bees aren’t aggressive and rarely sting. However, repeated structural damage from nesting can be costly — especially on decks, fences, and roofline trim. Left untreated, their tunneling can create moisture issues and invite other pests.

Think of them less as a personal danger and more as a property threat.

Why Choose Specter Pest Control?

As a family-owned business, we know what it means to protect your home like it’s our own. Our carpenter bee treatments are designed to solve the problem at its source, using methods that are safe for pets, families, and your property.

Whether it’s a few bees or a long-standing nest, we’ll make sure spring doesn’t leave you with expensive surprises.

Schedule your free inspection today and let Specter Pest Control help protect your home from spring carpenter bee damage.